Access
Roadside, with a large parking area at the eastern end — do not park on or in the vegetation.
North Shore · Virgin Islands National Park
Maho Bay
A calm, roadside beach known for large seagrass beds where green sea turtles feed.
TurtlesEasy accessBeginner snorkeling
Facilities
Restrooms at the western end; pavilions available for rent.
Snorkeling
Seagrass beds are good for spotting green sea turtles. Maho is less affected by winter swells than other North Shore beaches, though a north swell can reduce visibility. Best early morning or late afternoon.
These facts describe what the National Park Service documents — not a live or guaranteed same-day condition.NPS source ↗· verified June 30, 2026
Before you go
Check the day, not just the beach
Water quality & sargassum
Live DPNR bulletins and sample history for St. John beaches are on the beach directory page, each with its own freshness.
See live bulletins →Wind, swell & UV
Wind direction and swell decide whether this shore is calm today; UV decides how long midday sand is comfortable.
Weather & sea →Park alerts
Trail, road, and beach closures are published by the park itself — check the official NPS conditions page before you head out.
NPS conditions ↗Same shore
More North Shore beaches
Trunk Bay
A long white-sand beach with a marked underwater snorkel trail and the island’s fullest set of facilities.
Full guide →Cinnamon Bay
The longest beach on St. John, gently sloping, with a café, beach shop, and watersports center beside the campground.
Full guide →Hawksnest Bay
A close-to-Cruz Bay beach with three small Elkhorn-coral reefs near shore.
Full guide →Francis Bay
A quarter-mile beach with calm water, good for beginners and turtle-watching, plus a pond trail for birds.
Full guide →Salomon & Honeymoon Bay
Two quieter bays reached by a short hike from the park sign, with a fringing reef to the west.
Full guide →Leinster Bay & Waterlemon Cay
One of St. John’s best snorkeling spots, around a small cay reached on foot from the Annaberg area.
Full guide →